Continuing with our #CheckTheBox theme for this season, special guest Karith Foster joins us to discuss two boxes we tend to put people in when it comes to the race conversation: Victim or villain. In reality, those labels aren't so cut and dried, especially when you introduce intersectional identities into the mix. 

Karith Foster is a comic turned motivational speaker, TV & radio personality, actress, author, blogger and entrepreneur—and her new book, 'You Can Be Perfect or You Can Be Happy,' teaches readers basic concepts for embracing life's messiness. In this episode, we discuss how we can apply these same concepts to the race conversation.

Episode Description

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What are barriers to men living conscious, compassionate, connected lives in their homes and communities? How does this apply to the race conversation?

Guest: Addison Brasil, VP of branding for tethr, an online peer-to-peer support community for men.

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In this episode, we discuss policing behavior (behavior of police) and the act of policing other people's behavior in our day-to-day lives. Recent civil unrest around the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police has shined light on inconsistencies in what we view as acceptable policing. More often, policing of any kind is a preservation of power and is an attempt to invalidate those who are being policed.

#CheckTheBox Call to Action: Who are you policing in your life in attempt to preserve your power over them? Who is policing you in order to preserve their power over you? If you can identify that behavior is occurring, it will set you up to break free of that oppression to live a more fulfilled, balanced, healthy life.

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Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

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*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

In this episode we discuss the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. A lot of white people are being confronted for the first time with the injustice of racism and unsure how to process it. Others are perplexed why race has to be dragged into the equation at all. In this conversation, Branden turns the questions on Mark to discuss how the unexamined identities of white moderates continue to perpetuate racism. The second part of the discussions turns to how to transform guilt into change.

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

Mark Bauer: @BarkMauer

Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

Before the Tiger King, the quarantine binge was the reality show Love is Blind, which puts strangers in neighboring cubes and allows them to get to know one another without the benefit of seeing each other. Then, they fall in love. Or at least that's the idea. But is love REALLY blind? How do subtle ways we talk even give away things about how we were raised? And if love isn't blind, should it be? That's what we're talking about in today's episode. 

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

Mark Bauer: @BarkMauer

Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

Has coronavirus altered how you view racial disparity? Has it amplified it? Who are the populations most affected by coronavirus disruptions? Disruptions of this magnitude always allow for a shift in the landscape. When all of this lifts, how can we rebuild more equitably?

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

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Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

Racial bias manifests itself in a variety of ways in different settings. When it occurs in the workplace, that can impact a person's earning potential over a lifetime when you factor in who is considered for raises, promotions or the job itself. And that earning potential itself has far-reaching consequences on the quality of life a person is able to lead and their mobility between social classes. In this episode with therapist and executive coach Jim Dolan, he recounts the time a client came in for help in dealing with bias she was experiencing in the workplace and the emotional turmoil that causes.

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

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Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

This is actually a replay of one of our favorite episodes from last season. I've experienced a lot of fear the last few weeks around quitting my job and moving to Los Angeles for the summer, and in conversations with friends there seems to be a widespread season of fear that a lot of folks are walking in. So, in this episode we go a little deeper into understanding what fear is trying to tell us and how we can practice getting over that fear.  Continually pushing the boundaries of what you can overcome unlocks a whole new perspective on life when you aren’t inhibited by fear.

Notes from Show

- Feelings chart by Chip Dodd

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

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Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

In this episode, we review the Emanuel documentary, which covers the history of the black church in Charleston leading up to the church shooting in 2015 by Dylan Roof that killed nine congregants, including the pastor. The movie's primary emphasis is on the expressions of forgiveness by family members toward Dylan Roof, less than 48 hours after he committed that heinous act.

Co-hosts Mark Bauer and Branden Polk explore the idea of forgiveness and who it is for, and why forgiveness doesn't need to be preceded by repentance for it to be impactful, right and meaningful. 

We also dovetail into discussions about the contrast between how white offenders are handled by police during arrests, versus how we commonly see black subjects taken into custody. A recent police shooting of Pamela Turner in Baytown, Texas that was caught on camera illustrates this point. 

We also reflect on some points that were raised in a post-screening discussion that Branden and Mark facilitated following a viewing of the film, during which Branden asked attendees for three things black people wished white people would understand about the racial justice conversation, and three things white people wished black people would understand about their perspective on the racial justice conversation.

At the end of this episode, we hope you feel compelled to check out the Emanuel documentary in theaters during a limited run June 17 and 19. Let us know your thoughts by following us on social below! 

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

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Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer

In the last episode on racism in dating, Todrick Hall briefly touched on something that a lot of listeners picked up on: Colorism—the idea that whiteness has defined some skin tones and features in people of color as more beautiful and acceptable in society. This twisted idea has resulted in a sort of prejudice and resentment from some blacks toward other blacks. In this episode, we discuss the origins of colorism, why it's an especially nasty form of prejudice, and how to differentiate colorism from legitimate criticisms of anti-black self-hate.

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Behind the Seen: @behindtheseenpod

Mark Bauer: @BarkMauer

Branden Polk: @BrandenPolk

Website

Wonymedia.com/behindtheseen

*The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and do not reflect that of their employer